Music
Press
"The Hotel Triana welcomes from eleven o'clock the Chekara Orchestra, an Andalusí group which celebrates its 50th anniversary merging back again with the first flamenco singer nivel.Lole Montoya, Segundo Falcón and the singer and dancer Angeles Gabaldón , among others, will participate in the show." - ABC Sevilla
If there is a formation that can boast of Flamenco, this is the Chekara Orchestra. The 50th anniversary of its creation and the 10th of the death of its founder, the unforgettable singer and violin Abdessadak Chekara, the group works in the Biennial of Seville with exceptional guests. - El Mundo
"The grouping of Tetuan was surrounded by artists like Lole Montoya and Angeles Gabaldón.
A documentary reviews the history of its formatio." - Diario de Sevilla
Discography
In December 2008, la Orquesta Chekara de Tetuán releases "The Chekara and the Flamenco, Part 1" published by Musica es Amor with the collaboration of Enrique Morente, Segundo Falcón and Paco Jarana and the participation of the usual band in live: Raúl Cantizano, Vicente Gelo y Alicia Acuña.
Before that we can highlight "Upside-down violin, life" with Michael Nyamn (1992) Universal Music; "Macamahonda",Poligram of Music (1982).
Orquesta Chekara de Tetuan has over 15 albums during the lifetime of its founder, Abdessadak Chekara.
Photos
Bio
Abdessadak Chekara, one of XXth century violin maestros, founded the first Arabo-Andalusian orchestra in Tetuan 50 years ago. Later, that orchestra would be known as the Orquesta Chekara de Tetuán. Jallal Chekara, Abdessadak's natural nephew, is the director of the orchestra now. Jallal, who resides in Granada, has kept the traditional repertoire alive, as well as the orchestra's deep relationship to flamenco, making good use of the old musicians' abilities and adding young members as the most experienced ones have disappeared.
Orquesta Chekara, along with flamenco artists, has performed more than 30 concerts since the last year and a half. Besides, 2008 has been a milestone for Arabo-Andalusian music: we have celebrated the 10th anniversary of Abdessadak Ben Chekara' death. There have been several noteworthy musical meetings with the famous composer Michael Nyman, with whom they recorded the album "the upside-down violin, live" in 1992 on occasion of of the Universal Exposition of Seville.
But lets go back to the origin. José Heredia Maya released Macama Jonda (Polygram) 25 years ago. In his first performance in Granada he collaborated with Enrique Morente, Antonia La Negra, Luis Heredia El Polaco and Jaime Heredia El Parrón, among other flamenco artists. Orquesta Chekara of Tetuán collaborated in that performance too, beginning a long term relationship with flamenco.
Jallals most important task has been his continuous work with Andalusian flamenco. He has worked closely with front line flamenco artists as one more time- Enrique Morente (since January 1998), Carmen Linares (Dos Orillas), Segundo Falcón and Arcángel (Cus Cús Flamenco), Segundo Falcón (Tierra de Nadie), Mª Ángeles Gabaldón (Inmigración); as well as occasional collaborations with El Pele, Esperanza Fernández, La Lole, La Susi, David Palomar, El Lombo, etc.
Orquesta Chekara of Tetuan has recently released its first album in Spain, La Chekara y el Flamenco, primera parte (Musica es Amor Records). The album compiles, exposes and reflects the intense musical relationship between the orchestra and flamenco from their first meeting under the guide of Pepe Heredia, Macamahonda, more than two decades ago, to our days. Enrique Morente and Segundo Falcón contribute with outstanding collaborations.
La Chekara y el flamenco, primera parte sums up a centennial relationship between two neighbouring and brotherly cultures.
MAIN PERFORMANCES
2008
Festival de flamenco de Valencia Valencia - January (w/ Enrique Morente)
Encuentros Étnicos Cam Alicante February (w/ Enrique Morente)
Festival Tres Culturas - Murcia May (w/ Michael Nyman)
Festival Internacional de Música y Danza de Granada Granada - June
Terral - Málaga July (w/ Michael Nyman)
Veranos de la Villa Madrid July (w/ Michael Nyman)
Foro Social Mundial - Rivasvacia (Madrid) September (w/ Enrique Morente)
Teatro Leal (reapertura) La Laguna September (w/ Enrique Morente)
Bienal de Flamenco de Sevilla Sevilla September
Festival de las Dos Orillas Toledo December (w/ Enrique Morente)
Plus more than 40 shows all over Spain (theatres and festivals) in the last two years.
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